Man convicted of 2010 Montrose murder out on bail as new DNA evidence comes to light
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston man serving life in prison for murder is out on bond Tuesday based on new DNA evidence in the case.
Lydell Grant was sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty for the 2010 murder of Aaron Scheerhoorn outside a bar in Montrose.
In 2018, the Innocence Project of Texas retested DNA evidence from the case and found that Grant wasn't a match to the killer.
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Now, the state is re-investigating the case.
"The highest responsibility of a prosecutor is to see that justice is done," Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said. "To accomplish that end, our Conviction Integrity Division and Houston police are working methodically to determine how the DNA discovered under Scheerhoorn's fingernails got there, and whether the new evidence exonerates Grant of Scheerhoorn's murder, notwithstanding the eyewitness identifications of the individuals at the scene of the crime."
Grant's family cheered in the courtroom when the judge announced he would be released on a $100,000 bond.
Grant will have to wear an ankle monitor and is not allowed to leave Harris County.
Family members believe he will ultimately be exonerated, but there is still a long way to go.
The family is calling this a victory and is looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with him for the first time in years.
"His favorite is sweets. A personal pan of peach cobbler and beef enchiladas. We've got it all planned out," Grant's cousin Kemani Anthony said.
When Grant was released Tuesday, he praised God.
"Never give up and trust in God. That's the lesson," he told reporters.
When asked if he had a message for his prosecutors, he said he had no bitterness in his heart against them.
"I don't have no bitter in my heart for them," Grant said. "Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do. Forgive them. I forgive them."
In terms of the next steps, the exact time frame is still unclear, but there will likely be hearings on the district court level in Houston.
The case will eventually have to go to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin.
